"Nanoparticles Seen as Artificial Atoms ScienceDaily (May 24, 2012) — In the growth of crystals, do nanoparticles act as ""artificial atoms"" forming molecular-type building blocks that can assemble into complex structures? This is the contention of a major but controversial theory to explain nanocrystal growth. A study by researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) may resolve the controversy and point the way to energy devices of the future."